Coin Pièce French Mint 50 euro Silver 2014 A Paris

Remarks:

Avec étui, fourreau et certificat d'authenticité

This 50 euro silver coin is part of the series "The Great French Ships" issued by the Monnaie de Paris in 2014. It pays tribute to the "Pourquoi pas ?", the famous polar exploration vessel commanded by Commander Jean-Baptiste Charcot, who carried out several scientific expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic in the early twentieth century. This ship, considered one of the most important in the history of French exploration, was lost in a shipwreck off the coast of Iceland in 1936.

The coin is struck in 950 thousandths silver and weighs 163.8 grams, corresponding to 5 ounces of silver. Its diameter is 50 millimetres, giving it a significant visual presence and allowing the engraving details to stand out. It is struck in Belle Épreuve (BE) quality, a process that guarantees a polished blank and a matte relief, characteristics of the most carefully produced collector strikes.

The face depicting the ship accurately illustrates the silhouette of the "Pourquoi pas ?", reflecting the attention given to the historical and technical representation of the vessel. The architectural details of the ship, typical of steam schooners of the early twentieth century, are finely reproduced thanks to the Belle Épreuve striking quality.

This issue comes from workshop A of the Monnaie de Paris, identifiable by the corresponding mint mark present on the coin. The mintage is limited to 250 examples, making it a particularly rare issue. The face value of 50 euros grants it legal tender status in France and the eurozone.